Get a world-class education with the solid Christian foundation you’re looking for at Liberty University. Here, you’ll gain the values, knowledge, and skills you’ll need for success in every aspect of life.

Tickets & Merchandise

Whether you are looking for a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, find out everything you need to know about getting into the program you want and how much it will cost for tuition and other fees

Get a world-class education with the solid Christian foundation you’re looking for at Liberty University. Here, you’ll gain the values, knowledge, and skills you’ll need for success in every aspect of life.

Tickets & Merchandise

Whether you are looking for a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, find out everything you need to know about getting into the program you want and how much it will cost for tuition and other fees

Spiritual Guidance

Our Beliefs

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Special Education Integrated Studies

Special Education (K-12) General Curriculum – Licensure

The School of Education through Liberty University offers numerous licensure endorsements at the undergraduate level. The Bachelor of Science is designed for individuals who do not have prior teaching experience. This is the perfect program for individuals interested in earning their teaching licensure in special education with a focus in general curriculum.

Student teaching requirements will also be completed in the licensure field. Licensure in the state of Virginia requires that candidates meet all necessary criteria.

For entrance, candidates are required to have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 with a successful completion of 30 semester hours and satisfactory citizenship and behavior while enrolled at Liberty University.

Approved through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), this degree is also a Virginia state-approved program for initial licensure. Our program is designed to support edTPA.

Framework & Dispositions

The mission of the School of Education at Liberty University is to develop competent professionals with a Biblical world view for Christian, public, and private schools. The faculty of the School of Education has delineated the dispositions that should be observable in each candidate of our programs at all levels:

Displays a sense of Social responsibility

Demonstrates Commitment / Work ethic

Demonstrates Reflective practice

Displays Personal Integrity

Displays Professionalism

Degree Completion Plan & Course Sequencing Guide

Transfer & CLEP Credit

Candidates seeking transfer credit should contact their Professional Advisor from CASAS. Please note that if you have education coursework that is eligible for transfer, you may still have additional requirements to complete, such as an introductory field experience associated with EDUC 125.

Candidates seeking CLEP credit should review eligibility and requirements through Testing Services. CLEP credit should be completed and posted by the time candidates apply to Gate 3.

Background Check

The School of Education strives to produce educators who model high standards before their peers. In keeping with this mission, our students complete a variety of field experiences in K-12 school systems as part of their programs. Background checks have become a requirement in our partnerships with these schools. Out of respect for this, we require all students to complete a background check through CastleBranch.

Field Experience

Early and ongoing field experiences are crucial for initial and advanced licensure preparation. The continuum of field experiences required in Liberty’s program includes practicums in preK-12 settings and culminates in either student teaching or internship during the final semester.

Gates

The Gate system is designed as a set of checkpoints to ensure candidates have completed the necessary requirements to successfully complete the program. The Gate system is an important part of maintaining a quality program as required by our licensing and accrediting bodies.

Licensure Information

Candidates who are interested in a teaching or advanced state license must complete a Virginia Department of Education approved program. To be eligible for verification forms for other states, the licensure office must verify that candidates have completed one of our approved licensure programs. Programs that lead to licensure will involve coursework, licensure tests, and student teaching or internship.

Social Security Number for Licensure

To apply for a Virginia license, candidates must submit proof of a social security number (SSN). If the candidate does not have a SSN, the candidate must apply for a SSN.

International students should get a job on campus early in their program so they can get a SSN and use it for licensure tests and VA licensure application. If you are an international student and do not have a SSN when registering for licensure tests, you will need to pay for an extra copy of your test scores with the SSN stated on them before applying for VA licensure.

Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)

This degree leads to ACSI certification in K-12. After completion of this program, please visit the ACSI information page for application requirements.

Student Teaching

Student teaching requires a FULL SEMESTER (15 weeks) commitment to the classroom (all day, every day) in the last semester of the degree program. It is the culmination of all coursework and pre-professional experience. All Teacher Competency Assessments should be met during the student teaching placement. Therefore, it is important to prepare thoroughly and decrease outside responsibilities during this semester. Candidates may choose to complete student teaching in the local area or in an external location, including international locations. Student teaching must be completed in an accredited school system.

Teacher Competency Assessment (TCA)

The Teacher Competency Assessments are evaluations completed by the Cooperating Teachers/On-Site Mentor as an assessment of the Student Teacher’s overall performance. Student Teachers will be responsible for meeting all of the competencies outlined in the assessment for their endorsement area(s).